Haniyeh discusses next steps in Gaza with Egypt, Qatar

Sept. 1, 2014 10:26 P.M. (Updated: Sept. 2, 2014 10:29 P.M.)

GAZA CITY (Ma'an) -- Senior Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh on Sunday urged Egyptian intelligence officials to hold Israel to the stipulations of the ceasefire agreement it signed to end hostilities in Gaza, a statement from Haniyeh's office said.

Haniyeh told Egyptian officials it would be necessary to follow up with Israel regarding unresolved issues. He added that the reconstruction of Gaza was a top priority.

The Egyptian officials told Haniyeh Egypt would continue its efforts to work out solutions for Gaza, the statement said.

Separately, Haniyeh telephoned Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani, who said his country had made several arrangements for Gaza reconstruction.

Israel and Palestinian militant groups in the Gaza Strip ended over seven weeks of fighting last Tuesday with a long-term ceasefire agreement in which Israel agreed to ease its siege on the coastal enclave and expand the fishing zone off its coast. Further negotiations regarding many other key unresolved issues were to take place in Egypt a month later.